I grew up with MrR. However when I try to show it to my 5yr old, he can only sit through the factory-on-site visits ( which are very cool ) the rest he doesnt have the patience for as those interactions can't compare to all the hyper activity of NetFlix Kid's shows. He prefers to watch a marathon of Power Rangers kicking ass all day long.
Is there a moder-day Mr. Rogers out there ?? If not someone please invent him.
I grew up with him also, but Mr. Rogers isn't something we'd put on and sit and watch and do nothing else. It's something that's on while you're playing with other things. For example, building a Lego castle while the TV is on. The non-factory scenes are more about listening and occasionally looking up rather than staring at. At least that's my experience.
Years ago we'd leave on the TV in the background and watch sparingly sometimes. But now, my TV is always on-demand and if I'm not watching a series or movie, I'm on my computer in the other room.
A big part of Mr. Rogers appeal was back in the pre-Internet less-connected world, he and his cast were people you could see and who talked to you when you were home alone.
The real question should be why your generation could watch Mr. Rogers, but most kids of this generation can't concentrate enough to enjoy it. I changed my kid's routines away from most TV (allowing slower paced educational stuff) and they seem to be much better for it.
Worth noting is that in the spectrum and history of children's programming, MRN is the only show that didn't use jump cuts (for the in-house scenes, at least, I don't remember the external stuff). The camera just pans and fades, and there's never those jarring transitions from one shot to the next.
Rogers' personality aside, even the presentation of the show itself was meant to be gentle.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is produced by the Fred Rogers Company. I haven't watched much of it, but it seems kinda like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood crossed with a more contemporary style.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is meant to carry on Mr. Roger's legacy. They talk about feelings in every episode, and deal with childhood issues like Mr. Roger. It's wonderful.
They also have some of the same characters, and they ride a trolley to get around town.
Is there a moder-day Mr. Rogers out there ?? If not someone please invent him.